To qualify for a Student visa, you must meet the following criteria: Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS): You must have an unconditional offer from a UK educational institution licensed to sponsor students, along with a CAS reference number. The CAS is an electronic record, not a paper document, and your visa application must be submitted within 6 months of receiving the CAS. Financial Requirements: You must show proof of funds to cover the full course fees for the first year and living expenses (£1,265 per month in London, £1,015 outside). English Language Proficiency: You need to demonstrate sufficient English language skills, appropriate to your course level, before being issued a CAS. Genuine Student Test: Some applicants may be required to undergo an interview to verify their genuine student status and English proficiency.

A Student visa is typically granted for the duration of your course plus an additional four months. You can extend the visa for further studies or switch to other visa categories like Skilled Worker or the Graduate route if eligible.

Student visa holders can work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during holidays. However, they cannot be self-employed or engage in business activities. The general limit is 5 years for degree-level study, with exceptions for certain fields like Medicine, Dentistry, and Law. PhD students are exempt from the 5-year limit.

Postgraduate students (Level 7 or above) or government-sponsored students on a course lasting at least 6 months can include their partner and children under 18 on the visa. These dependents can work or start businesses in the UK and will receive the same visa duration as the main applicant.

While time spent on a Student visa doesn’t directly lead to ILR, it can count towards ILR eligibility through the Long Residence route (10 years).

How can we help?

At Provisas, we’re here to assist with your plans to study in the UK, including renewing or extending Student visas. Our advisers combine expert knowledge with extensive experience to ensure your application’s success. Contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation.

Our comprehensive service includes a thorough document check, completion of all required forms, advice on every aspect of your application, and unlimited support throughout the process. We also meticulously review your CAS to prevent any errors that could result in a refusal.